This means that by getting lean first, you set yourself up for a much more effective bulk with an optimised muscle:fat gain ratio.

The problem is that a lot of skinny-fat guys make the mistake to stop their cut before it’s completed.

Most often it’s because you see yourself looking smaller in the mirror.

You see that your muscles are getting deflated and that you start looking skinny.

People may even comment on it and try to discourage you from cutting further.

This is nothing to worry about and now I’ll outline why:

When you’re skinny-fat all you have a smaller bone-structure and less muscle mass than the average guy who never trained. When you lose body-fat you will reveal your narrow shoulders and thin arms because all your size came from body-fat.

During a cut you eat less fats and carbs. Your muscles are able to store carbs and fats in their glycogen stores and intramuscular fat stores therefore your muscles will automatically deflate by 0.5-1 inch when you lower fat and carb intake. As soon as you increase your food intake after a cut, you regain that lost size.

When you combine 1 + 2 you will understand why you’re getting smaller and why it’s an acceptable trade-off.

You’re trading getting smaller for a few months with the reward of getting a lean and muscular physique in the future.